Is That SDS?
Growers are learning that planting earlier soybeans can bump yields, but the last several years in Illinois have been wet and cold and that comes with a cost: the risk of infection from Sudden death syndrome (SDS) and other early infecting fungal diseases. We see soybeans start to yellow too early and want to automatically assume we have SDS in our fields, but that’s not always the case. There are a few other soybean diseases that look very similar to SDS and we should properly identify what is occurring in our fields. Some diseases that could cause early yellowing: [...]
What Am I Supposed To Do With All This Plot Data?
We all see plot data coming from every direction in the fall. You don’t have to look hard to find a mailbox full of plot data from universities, industry, third party testers, farm management agencies or even from your or your neighbors’ farm. There are so many ways to evaluate plot data, but for the purpose of this article I am going to focus on how plot data can help with placement decisions. What am I looking at? When evaluating plots for future utilization, it’s important to look at more than just who the winner was. Are the soil [...]
Three Considerations for Fall Cover Crops
Over the years I have had several growers ask me “Do cover crops work?” Usually, my follow-up statement is “It depends.” Cover crops are a broad subject that can be somewhat complicated to understand at times. So it’s never too early to start doing your homework for 2021. But first and foremost, a grower must ask themselves “Why am I using a cover crop?” and “Is the selected species of cover crop going to accomplish the goals I have?” Several times I have seen growers struggle with cover crops because they were using the wrong species or seeding rates [...]
Soybean and Corn Outlook, and Staying Positive Amidst Uncertainty
The third week of the Agribusiness Management Program (AMP) Summer Webinar Series featured University of Illinois faculty members who presented on two important topics as we move through the rest of this unprecedented year. Todd Hubbs kicked off the double webinar with his outlooks for soybeans and corn over the next two marketing years. Paul Stoddard then gave some helpful tips on how to handle adversity, stay positive and work through these tough times. It is extremely difficult to predict what will happen in the agricultural market because of all the uncertainties right now Hubbs said to begin his [...]
When to Seed Fall Crops
Here in late August 2020, the days are getting shorter and we’ve been waking up to unseasonably cool morning temperatures that remind us fall is around the corner. For an ever-increasing number of fields, there will be a quick turnaround before they get seeded to their next crop. In traditional crop rotations, still common in Southern Illinois, fall is when next summer’s wheat crops are seeded. It is a common practice across much of Illinois to plant a shorter maturity of soybeans on those fields preselected to be planted to wheat. In my experience, the best stands of wheat [...]
Conservation on Rented Farmland: A Payoff Worth Investing In
Past University of Illinois President Andrew Draper once said, “The wealth of Illinois is in her soil and her strength lies in its intelligent development.” I couldn’t agree more. Our Illinois farmland is some of the richest and most productive in the country and world, and we continue to enhance our land. While we’re certainly lucky to have tremendous soil in our backyards, it comes with responsibilities to serve the land and employ soil health practices—values I take to heart on my operation. Currently, I farm over 2,000 acres, raise cattle and operate a custom hay business. While I [...]
PODCAST: Scouting for Late-Season Soybean Insects and Diseases
Jason Carr, CCA Soy Envoy and Bayer Crop Science Technology Development Representative, is on the podcast this week to discuss what soybean insects and diseases farmers should be scouting for in August. Listen to learn more. ILSoyAdvisor Podcasts · Scouting for Late-Season Soybean Insects and Diseases
Planning Strategies for the Farmer’s Toolbox
The fourth week of the Agribusiness Management Program (AMP) Summer Webinar Series featured attorney Brooke Starks and Kent Leesman from Illinois FBFM in the first of two webinars. They provided helpful strategies for farmers to keep in mind as they think about the succession of their farm and assets. The focus of their presentation were things that come up often in working with clients—equipment transition planning and the intricacies of entity structures. Equipment transition planning – transfer options: 1. Piece-by-piece. This option allows the farmer to sell a portion of his equipment to a successor each year leading up [...]
Is It Time to Build Nutrient Plans for 2021?
Most soybean fields in Illinois are finally at a point where there is not much more a producer can do to protect top end yield. Even though 2020 created early season challenges from planting dates and slow growth in May and June, it has shown our current crop very favorable conditions during the grain fill period. With 2020 blessedly in the second half, it’s never too early to start planning for the next crop. So I wanted to provide some food for thought to help stimulate ideas for 2021. 1. Understand soil fertility build Think about the soil “build” [...]
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